A strong mind + a fit body is the key to health, happiness and resilience

The past 12 months have been a really exciting time at Southern Legion. Our Transformation Programme has introduced over 100 new faces to the gym, and the vast majority of them have been complete beginners to exercise.

Getting to meet and train this new group of people has been a real privilege for me. It’s hard to put into words how rewarding it is to see people who were too embarrassed or nervous to walk into a gym before, feel confident enough to come in, pick up a bar and train next to our advanced athletes.

The fact that exercise and psychological wellbeing go hand-in-hand is something that’s obvious to people who’ve trained for years. I’ve been training since I was 7 years old, and if I miss a session now it’s not my physique that suffers, it’s my mood and my energy levels. I just don’t feel good if I don’t train.

But for those who are new to exercise it often comes as a surprise that training makes them happier, not just fitter. By far the most common feedback I get about the Transformation course is that it has a massive impact on confidence – being fitter and stronger makes my Transformers feel more in control at work and home, and they feel excited about life again.

So for 2018, my goal was to develop a programme that will boost that mind-body connection and give people the tools to deal with whatever life throws at them. I want my Transformers to build strong minds as well as strong bodies so that they are happy, healthy and resilient, in and out of the gym.

Luckily, I knew the perfect person to work with on this project…  my coach Alex Davison who, as well as being an excellent strength and conditioning coach, is passionate about using exercise to improve psychological wellbeing.

Alex currently works for the NHS as an Assistant Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner, providing therapy for people with common mental health difficulties such as depression and anxiety. She has extensive knowledge of how our habits and behaviours can influence the way we feel.

Alex says:

“Being active not only promotes physical health but it also develops mental health. Mental resilience, focus, problem solving, pacing, self-awareness and positive attitudes are all essential components for being successful in getting stronger and feeling healthy.

When we feel our bodies becoming more functional, we not only feel better within ourselves but we feel better about ourselves too. As soon as you notice this, you will no longer exercise because you feel like you have to – you will do it because you want to”.

Alex and I are really excited about the impact this could have on so many people, so we’re reaching out to you to tell us why you would benefit from the course, and asking you to let us share your journey, in return for taking the course for free.

So for your chance to take part in the very first MIND AND BODY TRANSFORMATION, please like our facebook page and send a brief message stating why you would like to take part

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Thanks for reading

Ray